==========================================================
Lee, Woolsey and Waters Introduce Bill to Bring Troops Home from Iraq
==========================================================
from the Oakland Tribune, January 18, 2007,
Area Dems Move to Cut Troop Surge Plan
By Josh Richman
The war in Iraq became a war of dueling legislation Wednesday on Capitol Hill, as two Bay Area lawmakers introduced a bill to choke off the war's funding even while Republicans introduced one to ensure that can't happen.
Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, were joined by Out Of Iraq Caucus chairwoman Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, to unveil their Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, meant as an alternative to President Bush's plan to send 21,000 more troops.
Their bill — which has 13 other original co-sponsors — would repeal the president's authorization to use force in Iraq and fully fund a six-month withdrawal of troops and military contractors, cutting off money after that.
It also would prohibit permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, provide economic and political aid to the Iraqi government, fully fund the VA health care system, bar U.S. access to Iraqi oil production at least until the Iraqi government sets clear rules for foreign ownership and participation, and create a bipartisan joint committee to probe whether the United States was led into this war under false pretenses.
"The president said that critics of escalation have a responsibility to offer an alternative, and that is what we are here to do today," Lee said at a news conference. "We come here not out of a sense of obligation to the president, but out of a sense of obligation to the millions of Americans who went to the polls in November to register their rejection of the failed policy in Iraq, and to call for an end the occupation of that country and to bring our brave men and women home." The 33-page bill "does what the administration has refused to do — namely, recognize the situation on the ground for what it is, an occupation and a civil war," Lee added.
"The president insists on appealing to patriotic sentiments and fear with talk about victory and defeat in Iraq, but the truth is that you cannot win an occupation, no more than the U.S. can win an Iraqi civil war. The longer we stay there, the worse it gets."
Meanwhile, Republicans rallied around a three-page bill introduced Wednesday by Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas, to ensure Congress doesn't restrict or cut off funding for U.S. troops in Iraq or Afghanistan.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, issued a news release saying Johnson's bill "deserves the support of all my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike. I would urge all members to support our troops and oppose any effort to cut off or restrict funding for American troops in harm's way, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere in the global war on terror.
"Our challenge in Iraq is a difficult one, but Republicans and Democrats must work together to help stabilize the country's democracy and bring our troops home," Boehner added. "Congress should take an open, honest and deliberative look at the president's plan. If Democrat leaders disagree with the president's proposal, it is their responsibility to put forward a plan of their own for ensuring regional stability and denying terrorists a safe haven in Iraq." Boehner is among 15 original co-sponsors of Johnson's bill.
- "The American people went to the polls in November and called on our government to end the occupation and bring our troops home, not to escalate a losing strategy." - Congresswoman Barbara Lee -
Continue to support Barbara Lee's Work in Congress with Your Contribution Today! - http://www.leeforcongress.org
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Presidential Aspirants --- From The Other Side of the Pond: (The Guardian Unlimited Coverage)
Obama takes first step in White House bid
Staff and agencies
Tuesday January 16, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
The Democratic senator Barack Obama today confirmed he was taking the first formal step towards a presidential campaign that could make him the first black American to occupy the White House.
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, announced plans to file a presidential exploratory committee on his website. He said he would announce more about his intentions in his hometown, Chicago, next month.
"I didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago," he said in a webcast. "I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics. So I spent some time thinking about how I could best advance the cause of change and progress we so desperately need."
Mr Obama said the decisions made by the Bush administration over the past six years, and the problems that had been ignored, had put the US "in a precarious place".
"Many of you have shared with me your stories about skyrocketing healthcare bills, the pensions you've lost and your struggles to pay for college for your kids," he said.
"Our continued dependence on oil has put our security and our very planet at risk. And we're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged."
Despite the "magnitude of our problems", what concerned Mr Obama most was the "smallness of our politics", he added. "America's faced big problems before," he said. "But today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, commonsense way.
"Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first."
Mr Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961 to the son of a Kenyan who had herded goats with his father, a domestic servant to Kenya's colonial rulers, as a child.
Barack Obama Snr left Kenya on an academic scholarship and met and married Ann Dunham, born in the mid-western state of Kansas, while they were students at the university of Hawaii.
At public engagements in recent months, Mr Obama has been met by often ecstatic crowds who have urged him to announce an exploratory committee - an organisation established to help determine whether a potential candidate should run for an elected office.
Last month, John DiStaso - a political columnist on the Union Leader, New Hampshire's largest newspaper - who has been covering the primaries since 1980, said he was astonished by such excitement so early in the electoral cycle.
Mr Obama's new book, the Audacity of Hope, has been number two in the bestseller lists of both the New York Times and Amazon.
His announcement increases the likelihood of him competing against Hillary Clinton to become the Democractic candidate in next year's presidential election, with the New York senator expected to reveal her intentions in the near future.
Rivals start to drop out as rising star Obama takes first steps in race for presidency
· Frontrunner Clinton faces strong challenge
· Candidate says he is surprised by rapid rise
Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
Wednesday January 17, 2007
The Guardian
Senator Barack Obama, the rising young star of the Democratic party, took his first step into the 2008 presidential contest yesterday, raising the temperature in an already heated race.
Mr Obama's video address on his campaign website was merely a dress rehearsal: the announcement of an exploratory committee to raise funds and build a campaign team. He is to make an official announcement of his candidacy in his home town of Chicago on February 10.
But the sheer possibility of an African-American president, and Mr Obama's electrifying effect on Democratic voters, assured yesterday's announcement widespread attention.
Mr Obama, 45, and a senator for only two years, was candid about his rapid rise. Vaulted to the national stage by his keynote address to the Democratic party convention in 2004, in recent weeks Mr Obama has been elevated to the ranks of superstardom, thrilling audiences in New Hampshire and on a visit to Kenya in a celebrity that seems to have taken even him by surprise. "I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago," he admitted yesterday.
In his video address, Mr Obama casts himself as someone untainted by the rough and tumble of politics in Washington, or by the culture wars that have obsessed the baby boomer generation. "It's not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most. It's the smallness of our politics."
Instead, he says he offers an escape from the dirty world of politics, and the prospect of reform.
"Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions," he says. "And that's what we have to change first. We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans."
The sunny optimism that overlay the video was not tempered by policy specifics.
As the 2008 race gets off to an unusually early start, Mr Obama's move presents the greatest threat to Hillary Clinton, who was crowned an early frontrunner by virtue of her fundraising prowess and the reflected glory of Bill Clinton.
However, Ms Clinton is seen as a polarising figure and her ambiguity on Iraq - she voted for the use of force in 2002 - could come back to haunt her now that the country has turned against the war.
As George Bush's popularity plummeted, Ms Clinton has since said she would not have voted for the war if she had known how it would turn out.
Mr Obama, in contrast, did not operate under the burdens of being an elected senator in 2002. He opposed the invasion, and spoke at anti-war demonstrations in the run-up to the invasion. In recent days, however, he has refused to say whether he would try to block funds for a troop increase as some fellow senators now demand. Yesterday he touched only briefly on the war saying: "We're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged."
The other strong contender in the Democratic field is a former senator from North Carolina, John Edwards, battle-tested after the 2004 elections when he served as a running mate to John Kerry, and newly minted as a strong opponent of the war.
Other Democratic contenders are at risk of being outshone by the sheer force of Mr Obama's charisma, or the name recognition of Mr Edwards and Ms Clinton. The eclipsed contenders include Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa from a hardscrabble background, Chris Dodd, a Senator from Connecticut, and Dennis Kucinich, a leftwing congressman from Ohio.
Even in this crowded field, other veteran Democrats are considering their options for 2008, including Senator John Kerry, the contender in 2004, and Senator Joe Biden, the powerful chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.
However, other potential contenders were discouraged by Mr Obama's celebrity. Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana withdrew from the race, citing the difficulties of putting his message across in a field dominated by celebrities. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin also took himself out of the running.
For Democrats, Mr Obama represents the possibility of change, a hope he has nurtured since the Democratic convention. It is also embodied in Mr Obama's personal story. The son of a Kenyan father and a white woman from Kansas, Obama was the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. After a few years as a community organiser in the South Side of Chicago, he was elected to the Illinois state senate in 1996.
Mr Obama might still be there but for a lucky break in the 2004 Senate race when the original Republican opponent was forced to drop out because of a divorce scandal. Along the way, Mr Obama wrote two bestselling autobiographical books, winning a Grammy award for the audio version of one of them.
Presidential hopefuls
Democrats
Hillary Clinton: Seen as a potential candidate since first elected senator for New York in 2000. A fundraising powerhouse, but ambiguous about the Iraq war, which could hurt her. May make a declaration this week.
Barack Obama: Junior senator from Illinois and a rising star since his electrifying speech to the 2004 party convention. His lack of experience is made up for by his appeal to audiences from New Hampshire to Kenya, where his father hails from. Opposed Iraq war.
John Edwards: Veteran of the campaign trail as John Kerry's 2004 running mate. He has staked out ground on the left, with an anti-poverty platform. Opposed Iraq war.
Republicans
John McCain: Former navy pilot and senator from Arizona owes his military credentials to the years spent in the "Hanoi Hilton" after being shot down in Vietnam. Backs George Bush on the troop surge.
Mitt Romney: A Mormon and son of a former Michigan governor, Romney rose to prominence for organising the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. As a Republican governor of liberal Massachusetts, he approved a ban on assault weapons and made no move to restrict abortion rights.
Sam Brownback: Kansas senator expected to make a formal announcement on Saturday, and will run on the issues that move the Republican base. Opposes abortion and stem cell research, and what he calls the "homosexual agenda", and supports creationism in state schools
Rudy Giuliani: Former New York city mayor's interest became clear this month after a strategy document was leaked. Moderate image may hurt him among primary voters.
Staff and agencies
Tuesday January 16, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
The Democratic senator Barack Obama today confirmed he was taking the first formal step towards a presidential campaign that could make him the first black American to occupy the White House.
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator, announced plans to file a presidential exploratory committee on his website. He said he would announce more about his intentions in his hometown, Chicago, next month.
"I didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago," he said in a webcast. "I've been struck by how hungry we all are for a different kind of politics. So I spent some time thinking about how I could best advance the cause of change and progress we so desperately need."
Mr Obama said the decisions made by the Bush administration over the past six years, and the problems that had been ignored, had put the US "in a precarious place".
"Many of you have shared with me your stories about skyrocketing healthcare bills, the pensions you've lost and your struggles to pay for college for your kids," he said.
"Our continued dependence on oil has put our security and our very planet at risk. And we're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged."
Despite the "magnitude of our problems", what concerned Mr Obama most was the "smallness of our politics", he added. "America's faced big problems before," he said. "But today, our leaders in Washington seem incapable of working together in a practical, commonsense way.
"Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions. And that's what we have to change first."
Mr Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961 to the son of a Kenyan who had herded goats with his father, a domestic servant to Kenya's colonial rulers, as a child.
Barack Obama Snr left Kenya on an academic scholarship and met and married Ann Dunham, born in the mid-western state of Kansas, while they were students at the university of Hawaii.
At public engagements in recent months, Mr Obama has been met by often ecstatic crowds who have urged him to announce an exploratory committee - an organisation established to help determine whether a potential candidate should run for an elected office.
Last month, John DiStaso - a political columnist on the Union Leader, New Hampshire's largest newspaper - who has been covering the primaries since 1980, said he was astonished by such excitement so early in the electoral cycle.
Mr Obama's new book, the Audacity of Hope, has been number two in the bestseller lists of both the New York Times and Amazon.
His announcement increases the likelihood of him competing against Hillary Clinton to become the Democractic candidate in next year's presidential election, with the New York senator expected to reveal her intentions in the near future.
Rivals start to drop out as rising star Obama takes first steps in race for presidency
· Frontrunner Clinton faces strong challenge
· Candidate says he is surprised by rapid rise
Suzanne Goldenberg in Washington
Wednesday January 17, 2007
The Guardian
Senator Barack Obama, the rising young star of the Democratic party, took his first step into the 2008 presidential contest yesterday, raising the temperature in an already heated race.
Mr Obama's video address on his campaign website was merely a dress rehearsal: the announcement of an exploratory committee to raise funds and build a campaign team. He is to make an official announcement of his candidacy in his home town of Chicago on February 10.
But the sheer possibility of an African-American president, and Mr Obama's electrifying effect on Democratic voters, assured yesterday's announcement widespread attention.
Mr Obama, 45, and a senator for only two years, was candid about his rapid rise. Vaulted to the national stage by his keynote address to the Democratic party convention in 2004, in recent weeks Mr Obama has been elevated to the ranks of superstardom, thrilling audiences in New Hampshire and on a visit to Kenya in a celebrity that seems to have taken even him by surprise. "I certainly didn't expect to find myself in this position a year ago," he admitted yesterday.
In his video address, Mr Obama casts himself as someone untainted by the rough and tumble of politics in Washington, or by the culture wars that have obsessed the baby boomer generation. "It's not the magnitude of our problems that concerns me the most. It's the smallness of our politics."
Instead, he says he offers an escape from the dirty world of politics, and the prospect of reform.
"Politics has become so bitter and partisan, so gummed up by money and influence, that we can't tackle the big problems that demand solutions," he says. "And that's what we have to change first. We have to change our politics, and come together around our common interests and concerns as Americans."
The sunny optimism that overlay the video was not tempered by policy specifics.
As the 2008 race gets off to an unusually early start, Mr Obama's move presents the greatest threat to Hillary Clinton, who was crowned an early frontrunner by virtue of her fundraising prowess and the reflected glory of Bill Clinton.
However, Ms Clinton is seen as a polarising figure and her ambiguity on Iraq - she voted for the use of force in 2002 - could come back to haunt her now that the country has turned against the war.
As George Bush's popularity plummeted, Ms Clinton has since said she would not have voted for the war if she had known how it would turn out.
Mr Obama, in contrast, did not operate under the burdens of being an elected senator in 2002. He opposed the invasion, and spoke at anti-war demonstrations in the run-up to the invasion. In recent days, however, he has refused to say whether he would try to block funds for a troop increase as some fellow senators now demand. Yesterday he touched only briefly on the war saying: "We're still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged."
The other strong contender in the Democratic field is a former senator from North Carolina, John Edwards, battle-tested after the 2004 elections when he served as a running mate to John Kerry, and newly minted as a strong opponent of the war.
Other Democratic contenders are at risk of being outshone by the sheer force of Mr Obama's charisma, or the name recognition of Mr Edwards and Ms Clinton. The eclipsed contenders include Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa from a hardscrabble background, Chris Dodd, a Senator from Connecticut, and Dennis Kucinich, a leftwing congressman from Ohio.
Even in this crowded field, other veteran Democrats are considering their options for 2008, including Senator John Kerry, the contender in 2004, and Senator Joe Biden, the powerful chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee.
However, other potential contenders were discouraged by Mr Obama's celebrity. Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana withdrew from the race, citing the difficulties of putting his message across in a field dominated by celebrities. Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin also took himself out of the running.
For Democrats, Mr Obama represents the possibility of change, a hope he has nurtured since the Democratic convention. It is also embodied in Mr Obama's personal story. The son of a Kenyan father and a white woman from Kansas, Obama was the first African-American editor of the Harvard Law Review. After a few years as a community organiser in the South Side of Chicago, he was elected to the Illinois state senate in 1996.
Mr Obama might still be there but for a lucky break in the 2004 Senate race when the original Republican opponent was forced to drop out because of a divorce scandal. Along the way, Mr Obama wrote two bestselling autobiographical books, winning a Grammy award for the audio version of one of them.
Presidential hopefuls
Democrats
Hillary Clinton: Seen as a potential candidate since first elected senator for New York in 2000. A fundraising powerhouse, but ambiguous about the Iraq war, which could hurt her. May make a declaration this week.
Barack Obama: Junior senator from Illinois and a rising star since his electrifying speech to the 2004 party convention. His lack of experience is made up for by his appeal to audiences from New Hampshire to Kenya, where his father hails from. Opposed Iraq war.
John Edwards: Veteran of the campaign trail as John Kerry's 2004 running mate. He has staked out ground on the left, with an anti-poverty platform. Opposed Iraq war.
Republicans
John McCain: Former navy pilot and senator from Arizona owes his military credentials to the years spent in the "Hanoi Hilton" after being shot down in Vietnam. Backs George Bush on the troop surge.
Mitt Romney: A Mormon and son of a former Michigan governor, Romney rose to prominence for organising the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. As a Republican governor of liberal Massachusetts, he approved a ban on assault weapons and made no move to restrict abortion rights.
Sam Brownback: Kansas senator expected to make a formal announcement on Saturday, and will run on the issues that move the Republican base. Opposes abortion and stem cell research, and what he calls the "homosexual agenda", and supports creationism in state schools
Rudy Giuliani: Former New York city mayor's interest became clear this month after a strategy document was leaked. Moderate image may hurt him among primary voters.
Let the spin begin -- Obama, Clinton, Edwards
From Blogger: Side note, a day into Obama (exploratory committee), less than a month into Edwards announcements --the media "frenzy" is our of the gate. The next questions, speculations of a Clinton announcement (since she has already established her exploratory committee) and the Gore factor (Kerry, erstwhile, maybe fading).
*******************************************************************
Race and Gender Make Democrats' Field Historic
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007; A01
Democrats moved a step closer yesterday to what shapes up as one of the most historic and compelling contests ever for their party's presidential nomination, a study in contrasting styles and candidacies in which race and gender play central roles in the competition.
At center stage stand Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who set up his presidential exploratory committee yesterday, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who is set to make clear her intentions soon. Never has a party begun a nomination contest with its two most celebrated candidates a woman and an African American.
The 2008 nomination contest that will play out over the coming year is far more than a two-person race. Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina has already established himself as a genuine contender for the nomination, and the rest of the prospective Democratic field is among the strongest in years.
But initially, the electricity will be generated by the Clinton and Obama candidacies. The news media will find the story line irresistible, and Democrats around the country are eagerly anticipating the competition. "Senator Obama's got the magic, but Hillary Clinton's got the muscle," said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist who is neutral in the nomination campaign. "This is going to be a titanic fight between energy and charisma on one hand and money and organization on the other."
There are many ways to describe the differences in the two candidacies. Obama will cast the contest as the future vs. the past. Clinton can counter with experience vs. inexperience. Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning; Clinton long supported it but has become more critical over time. Clinton begins as the candidate of the party establishment, while Obama will attempt to mount a challenge that draws new voters into the process.
Each will have to overcome perceived liabilities. Many Democrats fear Clinton cannot win a general election because of the baggage she carries from the administration of her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Others see her as so cautious and careful that she cannot convey the warmth and authenticity many voters want in a president.
Obama's readiness to serve as president at a time of such uncertainty and danger in the world will clearly be questioned as he moves into active campaigning. Nor has he faced the competition and scrutiny of a presidential race. Making the transition from political phenomenon to serious aspirant for the presidency could prove to be a significant challenge.
"I think he very much recognizes that if this is just about hoisting the icon, it's an empty exercise and one probably doomed to failure," said David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist. "But if it is a movement for real political change at the grass roots, it can be very powerful."
Neither will have the luxury of missteps. Unlike other candidates, they will have their every move and every mistake magnified by the media lens that will follow them at every step.
The coming campaign will provide ample opportunity for Democratic voters to decide what they want in their nominee, and in Clinton and Obama they will have strikingly different models to choose from.
"An Obama campaign would bank on an idea that voters are looking for inspirational and motivational leadership, that rises above the traditional political calculations," said Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin, who is neutral in the race. "The Clinton campaign is hoping that voters put a premium on experience and a long record of fighting the good fight and making a difference."
A few years ago, an Obama-style candidacy would have been seen as implausible, given the fact that the 45-year-old politician has been in the Senate for just two years. Today, with an apparent yearning among the electorate for a break from the divisive politics of the past decade, his freshness may be seen as an asset.
For all the potential history-in-the-making of their candidacies, neither Clinton nor Obama enters the campaign primarily because of race or gender. Obama is the son of a Kenyan father and white American mother, but his candidacy is not comparable to that of Jesse L. Jackson in 1984, when the civil rights leader first sought the presidency. Jackson's candidacy was largely about breaking racial barriers. Although Obama's could become that, his appeal appears not fundamentally based on his race.
Clinton has risen to the top of the Democratic field not principally because she is a woman but because she is part of a power couple that has dominated the party since the early 1990s, as well as by virtue of her long experience as a party activist, first lady and now senator.
Still, there is no way to underestimate the significance of race and gender in the coming campaign. "They certainly have not practiced identity politics, but it is a huge part of who they are when they go out and present themselves as presidential candidates," said Democratic strategist Anita Dunn.
The election of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the nation's first female House speaker underscored to many Democrats the potential power of Clinton's candidacy, and Clinton strategists agree. "I think a serious female candidate for president will generate an awful lot of excitement and enthusiasm, especially among younger voters and among women," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in an e-mail message.
Party strategists say it would be a mistake to cast the Democratic contest as a two-person race, even though Clinton and Obama occupy a significant amount of space and both may be able to raise more money than others in the field.
Obama and Clinton advisers already see Edwards as a formidable candidate, in part because of his strong support in Iowa, whose caucuses will kick off the nominating calendar. The rest of the prospective field includes two of the most senior senators in the party and two governors with notable attributes. Waiting on the sidelines is former vice president Al Gore.
"There is such a compulsion on the part of the political community and political media community to create a steel cage match between Clinton and Obama you can almost see the fight posters," Axelrod said. "That's not the way he views it."
Still, there is no doubting the amount of space Obama and Clinton occupy as the campaign begins -- or the significance if either ends up as the Democratic nominee in 2008.
*******************************************************************
Race and Gender Make Democrats' Field Historic
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 17, 2007; A01
Democrats moved a step closer yesterday to what shapes up as one of the most historic and compelling contests ever for their party's presidential nomination, a study in contrasting styles and candidacies in which race and gender play central roles in the competition.
At center stage stand Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who set up his presidential exploratory committee yesterday, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who is set to make clear her intentions soon. Never has a party begun a nomination contest with its two most celebrated candidates a woman and an African American.
The 2008 nomination contest that will play out over the coming year is far more than a two-person race. Former senator John Edwards of North Carolina has already established himself as a genuine contender for the nomination, and the rest of the prospective Democratic field is among the strongest in years.
But initially, the electricity will be generated by the Clinton and Obama candidacies. The news media will find the story line irresistible, and Democrats around the country are eagerly anticipating the competition. "Senator Obama's got the magic, but Hillary Clinton's got the muscle," said Jamal Simmons, a Democratic strategist who is neutral in the nomination campaign. "This is going to be a titanic fight between energy and charisma on one hand and money and organization on the other."
There are many ways to describe the differences in the two candidacies. Obama will cast the contest as the future vs. the past. Clinton can counter with experience vs. inexperience. Obama opposed the Iraq war from the beginning; Clinton long supported it but has become more critical over time. Clinton begins as the candidate of the party establishment, while Obama will attempt to mount a challenge that draws new voters into the process.
Each will have to overcome perceived liabilities. Many Democrats fear Clinton cannot win a general election because of the baggage she carries from the administration of her husband, former president Bill Clinton. Others see her as so cautious and careful that she cannot convey the warmth and authenticity many voters want in a president.
Obama's readiness to serve as president at a time of such uncertainty and danger in the world will clearly be questioned as he moves into active campaigning. Nor has he faced the competition and scrutiny of a presidential race. Making the transition from political phenomenon to serious aspirant for the presidency could prove to be a significant challenge.
"I think he very much recognizes that if this is just about hoisting the icon, it's an empty exercise and one probably doomed to failure," said David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist. "But if it is a movement for real political change at the grass roots, it can be very powerful."
Neither will have the luxury of missteps. Unlike other candidates, they will have their every move and every mistake magnified by the media lens that will follow them at every step.
The coming campaign will provide ample opportunity for Democratic voters to decide what they want in their nominee, and in Clinton and Obama they will have strikingly different models to choose from.
"An Obama campaign would bank on an idea that voters are looking for inspirational and motivational leadership, that rises above the traditional political calculations," said Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin, who is neutral in the race. "The Clinton campaign is hoping that voters put a premium on experience and a long record of fighting the good fight and making a difference."
A few years ago, an Obama-style candidacy would have been seen as implausible, given the fact that the 45-year-old politician has been in the Senate for just two years. Today, with an apparent yearning among the electorate for a break from the divisive politics of the past decade, his freshness may be seen as an asset.
For all the potential history-in-the-making of their candidacies, neither Clinton nor Obama enters the campaign primarily because of race or gender. Obama is the son of a Kenyan father and white American mother, but his candidacy is not comparable to that of Jesse L. Jackson in 1984, when the civil rights leader first sought the presidency. Jackson's candidacy was largely about breaking racial barriers. Although Obama's could become that, his appeal appears not fundamentally based on his race.
Clinton has risen to the top of the Democratic field not principally because she is a woman but because she is part of a power couple that has dominated the party since the early 1990s, as well as by virtue of her long experience as a party activist, first lady and now senator.
Still, there is no way to underestimate the significance of race and gender in the coming campaign. "They certainly have not practiced identity politics, but it is a huge part of who they are when they go out and present themselves as presidential candidates," said Democratic strategist Anita Dunn.
The election of Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) as the nation's first female House speaker underscored to many Democrats the potential power of Clinton's candidacy, and Clinton strategists agree. "I think a serious female candidate for president will generate an awful lot of excitement and enthusiasm, especially among younger voters and among women," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in an e-mail message.
Party strategists say it would be a mistake to cast the Democratic contest as a two-person race, even though Clinton and Obama occupy a significant amount of space and both may be able to raise more money than others in the field.
Obama and Clinton advisers already see Edwards as a formidable candidate, in part because of his strong support in Iowa, whose caucuses will kick off the nominating calendar. The rest of the prospective field includes two of the most senior senators in the party and two governors with notable attributes. Waiting on the sidelines is former vice president Al Gore.
"There is such a compulsion on the part of the political community and political media community to create a steel cage match between Clinton and Obama you can almost see the fight posters," Axelrod said. "That's not the way he views it."
Still, there is no doubting the amount of space Obama and Clinton occupy as the campaign begins -- or the significance if either ends up as the Democratic nominee in 2008.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Obama Running (?) for Pres in 08
From the Blogger: Here is an announcement worthy of tracking through the coming year. A probable presidential aspirant in the footsteps of other Democrats from Illinois (Adlai Stevenson ' 52, 56; Paul Simon '88, Carol Mosely Braun '04). A fate to be ruminated on, or at least to cogitate over.
*******************************************************************
New York Times
January 16, 2007
Obama Takes First Step Toward Running in ‘08
By JEFF ZELENY
WASHINGTON – Senator Barack Obama took his first step into the Democratic presidential race today by opening an exploratory committee to raise money and begin building a campaign designed “to change our politics.” He said he would make a formal declaration Feb. 10 in Illinois.
“Running for the presidency is a profound decision – a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone,” Mr. Obama said in a video address e-mailed to his supporters. “So before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country.”
Mr. Obama disclosed his decision on his Web site and was not planning to make other statements today. Instead, he was making a series of telephone calls to key Democratic leaders in Iowa, New Hampshire and other states with early contests on the party’s 2008 nominating calendar.
Mr. Obama, 45, was elected to the Senate two years ago. He becomes the fifth Democrat to enter the race, joining Senators Joseph R. Biden of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut as well as former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and Tom Vilsack, who stepped down this month as governor of Iowa.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is expected to join the Democratic field soon and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he would make his decision known by the end of the month. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts also is weighing another run.
By now, the rapid trajectory of Mr. Obama is a well-established tale, rising from law professor to state senator to U.S. senator in less than a decade. He is the only African-American serving in the U.S. Senate and could be the only black presidential candidate this year.
But the next phase of his political development presents an even more intriguing storyline – as well as inviting closer scrutiny – as he discovers whether it is a blessing or curse to embark on a presidential race carrying the expectations of a country that is searching for something new and different.
In his video statement today, Mr. Obama presented himself as a fresh face – and voice – for Democrats. The message was crafted in blue-sky optimism, but did not delve into specific details for the challenges facing all candidates in the 2008 presidential campaign. Aides said the announcement speech next month would outline more specifics.
“For the next several weeks,” Mr. Obama said in the video, “I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together.”
Even before Mr. Obama opened an exploratory committee, his flirtations at a presidential bid changed the contours of the 2008 campaign. Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russell Feingold of Wisconsin were among those to fold their cards, fearful that what had been seen as a wide-open fight for the nomination suddenly seemed like nothing of the kind.
But for all of his anointment as a beacon of hope for Democrats, it remains an open question whether he can turn a boomlet into a movement. Privately, even longtime friends wonder if he can meet such lofty expectations, which have elevated him beyond a politician’s normal realm, thanks to his celebrity, ambition and biography.
Mr. Obama intends to open his presidential campaign headquarters in Chicago, which also would provide a key fund-raising base. As he made his decision, he convened a series of private meetings with longtime advisers and friends, ensuring that he had their support before entering the toughest political race of his life.
After one of the meetings, Abner Mikva, a White House chief counsel in the Clinton administration and a longtime friend of Mr. Obama’s, was asked to assess the senator’s biggest challenge in a presidential race. He didn’t hesitate.
“First off, there is Hillary Rodham Clinton. And that’s not going to be easy to handle,” Mr. Mikva said in an interview last month. “He says he’s not going to run against her, which is fine, but if they are the two front-runners, it’s going to be awfully hard not to. He needs to work on managing Hillary’s head start without antagonizing her supporters and shore up the notion that this is something more than just hype.”
In the field of prospective Democratic hopefuls, Mr. Obama stands apart from Mrs. Clinton and some candidates because of his unwavering opposition to the Iraq war. But he has declined to say whether he supports the current liberal position of blocking funding for sending more troops to Iraq.
And in his statement today, he did not dwell on Iraq, saying only: “We’re still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged.”
*******************************************************************
New York Times
January 16, 2007
Obama Takes First Step Toward Running in ‘08
By JEFF ZELENY
WASHINGTON – Senator Barack Obama took his first step into the Democratic presidential race today by opening an exploratory committee to raise money and begin building a campaign designed “to change our politics.” He said he would make a formal declaration Feb. 10 in Illinois.
“Running for the presidency is a profound decision – a decision no one should make on the basis of media hype or personal ambition alone,” Mr. Obama said in a video address e-mailed to his supporters. “So before I committed myself and my family to this race, I wanted to be sure that this was right for us and, more importantly, right for the country.”
Mr. Obama disclosed his decision on his Web site and was not planning to make other statements today. Instead, he was making a series of telephone calls to key Democratic leaders in Iowa, New Hampshire and other states with early contests on the party’s 2008 nominating calendar.
Mr. Obama, 45, was elected to the Senate two years ago. He becomes the fifth Democrat to enter the race, joining Senators Joseph R. Biden of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut as well as former Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and Tom Vilsack, who stepped down this month as governor of Iowa.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York is expected to join the Democratic field soon and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said he would make his decision known by the end of the month. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts also is weighing another run.
By now, the rapid trajectory of Mr. Obama is a well-established tale, rising from law professor to state senator to U.S. senator in less than a decade. He is the only African-American serving in the U.S. Senate and could be the only black presidential candidate this year.
But the next phase of his political development presents an even more intriguing storyline – as well as inviting closer scrutiny – as he discovers whether it is a blessing or curse to embark on a presidential race carrying the expectations of a country that is searching for something new and different.
In his video statement today, Mr. Obama presented himself as a fresh face – and voice – for Democrats. The message was crafted in blue-sky optimism, but did not delve into specific details for the challenges facing all candidates in the 2008 presidential campaign. Aides said the announcement speech next month would outline more specifics.
“For the next several weeks,” Mr. Obama said in the video, “I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together.”
Even before Mr. Obama opened an exploratory committee, his flirtations at a presidential bid changed the contours of the 2008 campaign. Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana and Russell Feingold of Wisconsin were among those to fold their cards, fearful that what had been seen as a wide-open fight for the nomination suddenly seemed like nothing of the kind.
But for all of his anointment as a beacon of hope for Democrats, it remains an open question whether he can turn a boomlet into a movement. Privately, even longtime friends wonder if he can meet such lofty expectations, which have elevated him beyond a politician’s normal realm, thanks to his celebrity, ambition and biography.
Mr. Obama intends to open his presidential campaign headquarters in Chicago, which also would provide a key fund-raising base. As he made his decision, he convened a series of private meetings with longtime advisers and friends, ensuring that he had their support before entering the toughest political race of his life.
After one of the meetings, Abner Mikva, a White House chief counsel in the Clinton administration and a longtime friend of Mr. Obama’s, was asked to assess the senator’s biggest challenge in a presidential race. He didn’t hesitate.
“First off, there is Hillary Rodham Clinton. And that’s not going to be easy to handle,” Mr. Mikva said in an interview last month. “He says he’s not going to run against her, which is fine, but if they are the two front-runners, it’s going to be awfully hard not to. He needs to work on managing Hillary’s head start without antagonizing her supporters and shore up the notion that this is something more than just hype.”
In the field of prospective Democratic hopefuls, Mr. Obama stands apart from Mrs. Clinton and some candidates because of his unwavering opposition to the Iraq war. But he has declined to say whether he supports the current liberal position of blocking funding for sending more troops to Iraq.
And in his statement today, he did not dwell on Iraq, saying only: “We’re still mired in a tragic and costly war that should have never been waged.”
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
CAPRICORNS 06/07 Birthdays FELICIDADES
This is a shout out to my fellow caps.... Our birthdays are close to the holidays, often times we get the 2fer treatment. HAPPY BIRTHDAY my peeps. Horoscopes by Jeraldine Saunders through Tribune Media Services
Inaki
DECEMBER 27 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Your New Year's resolution may bring you some abundant good luck in the next two months. Take advantage of kindnesses and offers that knock on your door late in January or early in February. Whatever improvements or benefits that begin then are likely to become permanent. June is the best time to make smart business decisions and to put them into action. Romance takes a turn for the better in July, making that a splendid month to take a vacation or a second honeymoon.
Rona & Stef
DECEMBER 30 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: The ``look of love'' might be in your eyes as this New Year unfolds. If you are single it could be time for an important commitment; if you are married the time might be ripe for a second honeymoon. January is a fabulous time for you to reach your career aspirations as well as satiate your romantic desires. March may bring ample opportunities to improve your life on numerous levels, so be fearless and take advantage of all offers or advice that comes your way. The rest of the year looks marvelous, and you are likely to receive the answer to a prayer in August.
Robyn
JANUARY 2 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You can expect to receive extra doses of good luck in the heavens during the coming year. You may have your head in the clouds and might not be very realistic for the next several months but your guardian angel will either send you wise advice or steer a lucrative opportunity your direction during late February or March. You are at your best in June and your popularity could skyrocket, making that a great time for a new romance, to ask for a permanent commitment or to pursue the job of your dreams. Put your most important plans into motion in November when obstacles will disappear and your business savvy gets high marks.
Moi --
JANUARY 3 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You path ahead may be filled with bliss if you remain realistic and keep your feet planted firmly on the ground. A romantic encounter could seem too good to be true in February, so let time pass and be sure you can trust your feelings. In the middle of May, those who are not good for you will have a tough time getting close -- so use that as a measuring stick to gauge how important a new person or idea should be. Mr. or Ms. Right will be more likely to knock on your door in August, but if you are already in a committed relationship this is a good time to interview for a new job or make an important change.
Sal
JANUARY 4 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: The allure of the fresh and exciting can bring you in contact with unusual people and progressive ideas between now and the end of February. Effective leadership skills can win you favors and assistance in May. Anything of major importance that you start in May should be blessed by good luck and favorable results. Focus on creating firm goals because in October and November your popularity will soar and you can apply for a new job, change careers, or maybe find the soul mate you have been searching for all your life.
Angelamia
JANUARY 6 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Those born on this day may have paid their dues and learned their lessons well, but now need to patiently wait for the best time to launch key plans. Wishful thinking and an unwillingness to face facts can cause setbacks or errors of judgment in March and April. Reassess your plans or put strategies into motion during June when you will receive the most help and assistance from others. Take a break from routines by setting off on an exotic vacation or trying a belly dancing class in August. Opportunities that drop in your lap in October may prove valuable and beneficial in more ways than one.
Donal
JANUARY 8 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: In January and February your energy levels are high, so much can be accomplished on the physical plane. It might be a good time to join a health spa or get the bicycle out of storage. Maintain a low profile in June when your instincts and business sense are somewhat off-center. April, July and October are the best months to put important plans or projects into motion. In these months, a lucky break might provide a chance to improve a key area of your life. The people you meet during this period will have your best interests at heart -- or at least will give you excellent guidance.
Inaki
DECEMBER 27 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Your New Year's resolution may bring you some abundant good luck in the next two months. Take advantage of kindnesses and offers that knock on your door late in January or early in February. Whatever improvements or benefits that begin then are likely to become permanent. June is the best time to make smart business decisions and to put them into action. Romance takes a turn for the better in July, making that a splendid month to take a vacation or a second honeymoon.
Rona & Stef
DECEMBER 30 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: The ``look of love'' might be in your eyes as this New Year unfolds. If you are single it could be time for an important commitment; if you are married the time might be ripe for a second honeymoon. January is a fabulous time for you to reach your career aspirations as well as satiate your romantic desires. March may bring ample opportunities to improve your life on numerous levels, so be fearless and take advantage of all offers or advice that comes your way. The rest of the year looks marvelous, and you are likely to receive the answer to a prayer in August.
Robyn
JANUARY 2 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You can expect to receive extra doses of good luck in the heavens during the coming year. You may have your head in the clouds and might not be very realistic for the next several months but your guardian angel will either send you wise advice or steer a lucrative opportunity your direction during late February or March. You are at your best in June and your popularity could skyrocket, making that a great time for a new romance, to ask for a permanent commitment or to pursue the job of your dreams. Put your most important plans into motion in November when obstacles will disappear and your business savvy gets high marks.
Moi --
JANUARY 3 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: You path ahead may be filled with bliss if you remain realistic and keep your feet planted firmly on the ground. A romantic encounter could seem too good to be true in February, so let time pass and be sure you can trust your feelings. In the middle of May, those who are not good for you will have a tough time getting close -- so use that as a measuring stick to gauge how important a new person or idea should be. Mr. or Ms. Right will be more likely to knock on your door in August, but if you are already in a committed relationship this is a good time to interview for a new job or make an important change.
Sal
JANUARY 4 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: The allure of the fresh and exciting can bring you in contact with unusual people and progressive ideas between now and the end of February. Effective leadership skills can win you favors and assistance in May. Anything of major importance that you start in May should be blessed by good luck and favorable results. Focus on creating firm goals because in October and November your popularity will soar and you can apply for a new job, change careers, or maybe find the soul mate you have been searching for all your life.
Angelamia
JANUARY 6 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Those born on this day may have paid their dues and learned their lessons well, but now need to patiently wait for the best time to launch key plans. Wishful thinking and an unwillingness to face facts can cause setbacks or errors of judgment in March and April. Reassess your plans or put strategies into motion during June when you will receive the most help and assistance from others. Take a break from routines by setting off on an exotic vacation or trying a belly dancing class in August. Opportunities that drop in your lap in October may prove valuable and beneficial in more ways than one.
Donal
JANUARY 8 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: In January and February your energy levels are high, so much can be accomplished on the physical plane. It might be a good time to join a health spa or get the bicycle out of storage. Maintain a low profile in June when your instincts and business sense are somewhat off-center. April, July and October are the best months to put important plans or projects into motion. In these months, a lucky break might provide a chance to improve a key area of your life. The people you meet during this period will have your best interests at heart -- or at least will give you excellent guidance.
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